Tigers in America is a fantastic organization dedicated to tigers in desperate need of rescue in the US. They've helped fund some of our rescues here at The Wildcat Sanctuary. Please visit their website and definitely read this article about what to look out for in places you visit. "Many that claim to be sanctuaries are breeders, exhibitors or roadside zoos...If you find yourself in a place that breeds, buys, sells, features cubs (especially white ones), lets you handle them, has cats perform, has cramped enclosures and is short staffed, you are in a roadside zoo at best and a breeding farm at worst." Tony the Truck Stop Tiger is a prime example :(

Tony has endured this nightmare for 14 years. His entire life is spent breathing in the toxic fumes from the huge trucks and cars that are constantly coming and going from the truck stop. People taunt him, throw garbage and even rocks at him through the bars of his cage, and he has never known a moment of true peace and quiet in his entire life. This magnificent animal should never be forced to live like this, and advocates must not give up on him, no matter how long it takes to make this right.

As reported by NBC33 News, a public hearing was held on Tuesday, September 3, 2014, regarding proposed new rules that could affect Tony and the Tiger Truck Stop. These new rules by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries would have restrictions on what constitutes a zoo. Based on the information contained in these new rules, the Tiger Truck Stop would not meet the criteria, and Tony would have to be released to sanctuary. It was further reported that Sandlin stated he will file yet another lawsuit against the State if these new restrictions are approved.

Sandlin has adamantly maintained that Tony is well cared for, and there are no public safety concerns. However, as any animal advocate knows, being kept in a small enclosure in the conditions of diesel fumes, constant traffic noise, and taunting by humans is not the way an exotic animal such as Tony should live. Since Tony cannot live in the wild, life in a sanctuary, where he would have a huge expanse of property in which to run, stimulation appropriate for a big cat, proper food, and the nurturing of professional caretakers is what is best for Tony. He deserves to spend what is left of his life in peace and serenity.

The sole purpose of SB 250, signed by Governor Piyush “Bobby” Jindal recently as “Act 697,” is to allow Tiger Truck Stop owner Michael Sandlin to keep the 14-year-old Siberian-Bengal tiger caged in a gas station parking lot - captivity that previously violated Louisiana law, which prohibits the private possession of dangerous large exotic cats.

“By vetoing pro-animal laws brought forth by his own party, and signing this unconstitutional law, the governor has cast a shadow ove...r his aspirations for a national run for the White House,” executive director for the Animal Legal Defense Fund Stephen Wells said. “We will not allow Tony’s protections to be subverted by back-room politics. He deserves to live in a reputable sanctuary - not a gas station parking lot.”

Jindal recently has taken several actions that many see as anti-animal welfare, including signing a bill to declare the blood sport of fox penning part of the state heritage and vetoing a Republican bill that would have protected dogs in pickup trucks.

On May 30th, 2014, ...a life sentence of caged solitary confinement was imposed upon Tony the Tiger. The Animal Legal Defence Fund have worked long and hard to free Tony the Tiger from life at a truck stop and send him to a reputable sanctuary. The Wild Animal Sanctuary was willing to provide this care and sanctuary for Tony, so that Tony might live out his remaining years in sanctuary rather than a gas station parking lot. The Wild Animal Sanctuary’s executive director Pat Craig, along with ALDF’s Carter Dillard and Chris Green, testified before the legislature and provided expert advice and recommendations in the best interest of Tony.

But, the bill has not been signed by Governor Bobby Jindal,

If you're in the USA (or elsewhere), please consider calling, it only takes a minute: (USA) 225-342-0991

You can also email Jindal at bobby.jindal@la.gov...calls are great though.

Opinions in the legislature were divided over whether a 550-pound Bengal tiger can find happiness living alone in a cage outside a truck stop in Grosse Tete.No wonder Louisiana is in a pickle. A question that could not be …

Here at the Animal Legal Defense Fund, we have a strong connection to Tony’s plight, and our hearts break at the possibility that he may never get his freedom. And if this kind of sneaky, back-door affront to our legal system is allowed to continue, many other tigers may face the same fate.

A bill debated on the Louisiana Senate floor Monday would protect the owner of Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete from giving up his longtime roadside attraction, Tony the tiger. The bill narrowly failed in the Senate by a 18-19 vote,...

Tiger Truck Stop owner Michael Sandlin has lost at the district, appellate and Supreme Court level in his bid to keep Tony, a 550-pound tiger, at his business. A bill in the state Senate would grandfather in Sandlin and allow him to keep the animal. Sandlin has also fought back with a website and Facebook campaign.

After exhausting his appeals all the way to the state Supreme Court, the owner of the Tiger Truck Stop... in Grosse Tete has no legal remedy left save one: do an end run around the high court via a bill that would grandfather his “right” to keep a 550-pound tiger enclosed in a pin at his roadside business.

In the hopper at the Legislature’s upper chamber is Senate Bill 250 by Port Allen GOP Sen. Rick Ward. The bill amends current state law, which exempts universities like LSU from keeping live animals as mascots, and would effectively grandfather Michael Sandlin’s tiger, Tony, by adding to the existing law with the caveat, “Such rules shall also provide for permits for certain institutions and for owners who can prove previous ownership. Previous ownership shall include persons who obtained their animal by lawful means and continuously possessed their animal since August 15, 2006.”

Matthew Liebman, the senior attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, which successfully fought Sandlin in court after compelling the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to revoke his license, says in a statement to The IND that his group is watching the bill closely:

ALDF opposes SB 250, which would expand the exemptions to Louisiana’s ban on private possession of big cats. This is yet another delay tactic by Michael Sandlin and the Tiger Truck Stop. LSU is already exempted from the current law, so the only purpose of this new bill is to try to exempt Tony the tiger from the law. Louisiana needs a strong and robust prohibition on captive wildlife exhibition to protect animal welfare and public safety, and there is no reason for adding exemptions to the existing law. We’ve worked hard to get Tony to a reputable and accredited sanctuary, where he deserves to live out his life.

After exhausting his appeals all the way to the state Supreme Court, the owner of the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete has no legal remedy left save one: do an end run around the high court via a bill that would grandfather his “right” to keep a 550-pound tiger enclosed in a pin at his roadside busin…

***** MEMBERS WE NEED YOUR HELP! TONY NEEDS YOUR HELP ASAP. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING POST AND TAKE ACTION THAT IS NEEDED TO STOP THIS PROPOSED BILL FROM HAPPENING!!! IF THIS GOES THROUGH TONY WILL NEVER LEAVE THE TRUCK STOP. ARE YOU STILL HEAR TO ROAR FOR TONY? BECAUSE HE NEEDS YOU RIGHT NOW!!!! MORE INFO ON THIS PROPOSED BILL WILL BE POSTED AS SOON AS IT COMES OUT.

Tony needs your help today! We just found out a bill allowing Tony to be kept caged at a truck stop in Louisiana has passed the Natural Resources Committee & i...s before the full Senate for a vote. Would you please be Tony's voice now? Email all the Senators below asking they NOT pass SB 250. And please ask others by sharing this post. Tony needs your voice ♥ Full story on Tony: www.aldf.org/tony